Summit pushes ahead in Class 5A state playoffs

By Bob Kowalski

Mansfield Record

Summit stands as the only Mansfield ISD football team remaining in the UIL state playoffs after defeating Seagoville, 37-7, on Friday night at R.L. Anderson Stadium.

Extended postseason runs are a custom for the Jaguars (8-3), the runner-up in District 5-5A DII. Summit has won five consecutive games and seven of its last eight. Its only loss in that stretch came against district champion Midlothian Heritage, which is No. 2 in Texas Football’s Class 5A Division II rankings.

In next week’s second round, the Jaguars will face Texarkana Texas High (10-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs.  The Tigers, District 8-5A DII champions, defeated Terrell, 51-28, on Friday night.

This is the fifth consecutive postseason trip for the Jaguars, and all but one have reached past the first round. The last time Summit made it past the opening round, they went all the way to the 2021 Class 5A Division II state championship game, falling to College Station, 28-21.

Running back Amare Burgess is the focal point of the offense for Summit, bolstered by an impressive offensive line. Demarus Bird and Jeremiah McLin share quarterbacking duties, while the defense has held district opponents to an average of 16 points per game this season.

Texas High’s only loss this season came in Week 10, a 19-13 overtime loss against Longview Pine Tree.